This is Sinead O’Connor’s final resting place after being buried as a Muslim in a Catholic cemetery where U2’s Bono was among the mourners.
After nearly 5,000 people lined the path to pay their respects to the late Irish singer, her family, Bob Geldof and an Islamic cleric were among the few invited when her body fell to the ground at Deansgrange Cemetery in Bray, Co. Wicklow was brought.
Traditionally, at Muslim burials, people are laid on their right side. Sinéad’s head may also be facing the Qibla – the direction towards the Holy Mosque in Mecca – as is common in Islamic custom after she chose Islam over Catholicism.
The star, who died on July 26 at the age of 56, described converting to Muslim as “reversion rather than conversion” after finally turning her back on the Catholic Church after years of attacks during which it tore up a picture of the Pope had on TV.
Her final resting place was marked with flowers removed from the top of her coffin and thrown onto her hearse by well-wishers. A brass plaque on a wooden base read, “Sinead O’Connor.” Born December 8, 1966. Died July 26, 2023.
Her grave in Dublin Cemetery, which opened in 1865, is against a wall near the entrance in an area called “The Garden” and is surrounded by Catholic graves.
Sinead O’Connor’s grave is pictured today in Deansgrange Cemetery, Bray, Co Wicklow
sheik dr Umar Al-Qadri, an Islamic scholar and chief imam at the Islamic Center of Ireland who met the star in 2018, is pictured next to the grave in Deansgrange Cemetery yesterday
A plain brass plaque on a wooden base in Deansgrange Cemetery, Bray reads: “Sinead O’Connor.” Born 8 December 1966. Died 26 July 2023.
Flowers at the grave of Sinead O’Connor in The Garden section of Deansgrange Cemetery
sheik dr Umar Al-Qadri, an Islamic scholar and chief imam at the Islamic Center of Ireland, who met the star in 2018, led the ceremony and offered prayers. The imam was a friend of the singer and described himself as her “spiritual guide”.
On Twitter, Dr. Umar Al-Qadri a photo of herself at her grave and a message from the local Irish Muslim Council stating: “The Muslim world mourns the loss of the daughter of Ireland, Sister Sinéad O’Connor (Shuhada). ). May she rest in peace.’
Pale roses adorned her grave, accompanied by blue hydrangeas that surrounded her coffin as it was wheeled through the seaside town of Bray yesterday.
Hundreds of locals and fans of the singer gathered outside her former home, Montebello, where she lived for 15 years, after her family asked people to stand on Strand Road to say their “final goodbyes”.
The singer’s former home, which was sold in 2021 and is now empty, has been converted into a makeshift shrine since her death in London two weeks ago.
The wall in front of the property was decorated with flowers, photos and candles, as well as handwritten notes to the singer, thanking her for her voice, music and courage.
At a private memorial service yesterday attended by Irish President Michael D. Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Dr. Umar Al-Qadri delivered the eulogy in which he paid tribute to O’Connor’s “otherworldly voice” and hailed the farewell to her as a “symphony of unity” that “transcends boundaries”.
After the service, the hearse with her coffin drove through crowds of mourners and past her former home – to the tune of Bob Marley from a Volkswagen camper van decorated with the Pride and Rastafarian flags.
Sinead O’Connor was buried in The Garden section of Deansgrange Cemetery
Flowers at the grave of Sinead O’Connor in The Garden section of Deansgrange Cemetery
Deansgrange Cemetery is Sinead O’Connor’s final resting place following her funeral
Grammy Award winner Sinead O’Connor died in London on July 26 at the age of 56
People followed the procession down the street, some dancing, some crying, some touching the back window of the hearse, which had a photograph of Sinead on it, before the funeral procession continued yesterday for the private funeral.
dr Umar Al-Qadri said O’Connor experienced a “moving and private” funeral with Islamic prayers. He added that unlike others who have “difficulties and trials” in their lives, she has “never strayed from God.”
He told the PA news agency: “The funeral was obviously private (for) the family and it was a very moving ceremony and I think it really reflected Sinead’s beautiful personality.”
“It was very spiritual and reflected both their Irish and Muslim identities.” So I was with the members of the Muslim community and we performed the Janazah prayer, the Islamic funeral prayer, over Sinead.’
Thousands lined the streets of Bray yesterday to pay tribute to Irish singer Sinead O’Connor
Fans of singer Sinead O’Connor lined the streets in Bray yesterday for a “final farewell”.
Sinead O’Connor’s coffin sits outside her former seaside home, Montebello
A hearse carrying the coffin of the late Irish singer Sinead O’Connor drove past in Bray yesterday
dr Umar Al-Qadri helped convert O’Connor – who changed her name to Shuhada’ Davitt, later Shuhada’ Sadaqat – to Islam.
He added, “She was an amazing human being, not only a great musician and artist, but also one who would touch the hearts of millions because of her voice but also because of the amazing content.”
“Whatever she said had a deep meaning.” She always had a strong faith and conviction in God, and that was what motivated her to study theology.
“She studied different faiths and religions, and when she studied Islam, she was basically like, ‘That’s the religion I’ve always been looking for.’ That was exactly the belief I was always looking for. “I’ve always been a Muslim, but I never realized it.”
Bono and The Edge leave a funeral home in Bray yesterday after a service for Sinead. They were also seen with Adam Clayton, U2’s bassist. Bono is said to have sung at the service
Bob Geldof followed Sinead O’Connor’s coffin in a taxi to the private funeral in Bray yesterday
The extraordinary scenes as the hearse drove slowly through Bray, County Wicklow yesterday
Fans sang Sinead O’Connor’s greatest hits yesterday, which also blared through speakers
The Islamic scholar also revealed O’Connor’s eulogy online, saying he offered his “heartfelt thanks” to her family, adding that he was “honored by the privilege” of rendering their service.
He wrote, “Just as Sinead O’Connor brought disparate souls together through her art, so in her final voyage you staged a symphony of unity.”
“Your noble gesture transcended boundaries and connected strangers, reflecting the essence of Sinead’s legacy.”
“In this shared moment of remembrance and prayer, we are united in a tapestry of love, compassion and reverence.”
“May this ceremony be a testament to the enduring power of humanity’s collective spirit as we say goodbye to a remarkable soul who touched us all.”